Improvement in inhalers



UNITED STATES ,PATENTOEEICEJ GEORGE H. HRD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN INHALERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,400, datedSeptember 9, 1879 application filed June 19, 1879.

To au whom it may concern:

Be it known that "I, GEORGE H. HURD, oi' Cleveland, in the county ofCuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Inhalin g ing nitrous-oxide gas, ether,and other like matter; and consists inthe construction here- A inafterdescribed and c1aimed.`

VIn the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of a deviceembodying my invention, representing the finger-lever as depressed andthe tube open. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal central section, representing the linger-lever as free andthe tube closed.

In the said drawings, A is a tube leading from the retort orgas-reservoir. The end of this pipe is provided with a piece of rubbertubing, A', turned down true upon its end, so as to secure a snugbearing upon the valve. B is a tube connected with the mouth-piece. Thistube is adapted to slip'upon the tube A, but at its other end isperforated around its circumference at b, as shown, and its outer end isturned over, so as to inclose a wooden button or other suitable valve,C. D is a lever attached to the pipe A, and b is a stud attached to thesection of pipeB. D is a rnbber band or other suitable spring, whichoperates to hold the stud b snugly against the lever D, so that when thelever is free the stud and lever are held together, and in that positionthe end of the rubber tube A closes the openings b and presses firmlyagainst the button C, so as to effectually prevent any escape of gasfrom the valve. lVhen, however, the lever D is depressed with the thumbor finger, the section B is forced outward from the rubber tubing A',and the periorations b are opened, so that the gas may escape therefrominto the mouth-piece B2.

E is a loosebuttou-valve inclosed in a suitable cage, E1. This valvecloses by a suction from within the mouth-piece.

The operation of this device is, briefly, as follows: The mouth-pieceB2, being formed of rubber or metal, or other suitable material, isplaced over the mouth and nose of the patient, and by pressing with theiin ger or thumb upon the lever D the pipe A is openefl, and the patientwith every inspiration draws the gas from the pipe A through theorifices b. With every expiration the button C closes back upon the endof the rubber tubing A', and at the same time the button E is forced outfrom its seat, so that in making an expiration the breath is forced outthrough the cage El to the exterior, and then again, upon making aninspiration, the button E closes upon its seat, while the button() isfreed from the end of the tube and the operation is repeated.

When the patient is sufficiently under the inuence of the gas or ether,the operator releases the lever D, when the spring brings the section Bdown upon the tube A and closes the said tube.

This apparatus will be found very convenient, inasmuch as thesupply-valve closes automatically by simply releasing the hold upon thepipe, whereby the operator, if he be a dentist, for instance, may holdhis forceps in the same hand that holds the tube. With one linger he mayopen the valve by pressing upon the lever, and when the patient issufficiently under the influence of the gas may simply drop themouth-piece from his hand and not wait to turn a valve, as is necessaryin the devices heretofore employed.

It is apparent that the inner end of the pipe B, adjacent tothexorifices b, might be made in the form of a close cap, against whichthe rubber section A might close and stop the ow of gas; but I prefer tomake it open and employ the button-valve C, so that in the process ofexpiration this valve will be forced'against thev end of the tube Al andout off the flow of gas without releasing the lever D. The object inmaking the section A' of' rubber or ilexible material is that it maymore effectually close the orifices band form a snug bearing upon thebutton. Moreover, it is not injuriously affected by the moisture of thebreath. Y

The exhaling-valve E may be of any s'uitaA ble form, so that it shallclose certainly and quickly, thus preventing any inhalation of air fromthe exterior. This is important, inasf much as itis desirable that noair should be inhaled With the gas. I accomplish this by making aflexible valve with a solid seat, or a solid valve with a flexible seat.The device shown is believed to be very effectual for the purpose, inwhich the button E is of flexible rubber and the valve-seat of metal.So, also, the cage El screws upon a plug, E2, which is projected throughthe mouth-piece from the interior, so that the cap El comes down flushagainst the material of the mouth-piece, and causes the latter to serveas a packing to prevent air from entering at the joint.

The portion B2, which is termed the monthpiece,77 is adapted to embraceboth the mouth and the nose, so as to cut off the possibility ofinhaling air with the gas. This mouth-piece may with propriety,therefore, be termed a y face-piece.

What I claim isl. An inhaler consisting of the combination, with thesupply-pipe A, of a telescope-section, B, and lever D, the said portionsA and B constituting a valve, which may be opened by pressing` upon thelever and closed by releasing it, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

2. The pipe A, provided With a rubber or iieXible section, A', incombination with a telescoping section, B, provided with oritices b andvalve G, substantially -as and for the purapertures, of the valveC,\vhicl1 is inclosed by the end of' said section, being folded over thesame, and the flexible section A', substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE H. HURD.

Witnesses:

JN0. GROWELL, Jr., W. E. D ONNELLY.

